AKG C104 review: The do-it-all mic at an ultra-low price

AKG has been building one of the more compelling lineups of budget microphones over the past year or two. Recently, we looked at the C114, which perfectly embodied that at $229. But there are even more affordable models in AKG’s lineup too — like the C104, which is one of AKG’s most affordable microphones in a long time. The AKG C104 is the entry-level model in AKG’s lineup, boasting a classic AKG design in a more affordable body.

Of course, you couldn’t expect the AKG C104 to sound like AKG’s higher-end microphones, let alone to offer the same features. But that doesn’t mean that the microphone sounds bad. Does the AKG C104 make a case for itself at this low price point?

AKG C104 review

AKG C104

The AKG C104 may not have the bells and whistles of some more expensive mics, but it still happens to sound excellent.

Design

8

Sound

9

Value

9.5

Pros

Excellent detailed response

Strong build

Low price

Cons

Limited versatility

8.8

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AKG

Design and build quality

The C104 goes with a side-address configuration, and AKG describes it as having a “large-diaphragm styled” look. It genuinely does look like a proper studio condenser, though it’s actually closer to a medium-diaphragm mic at 22mm.

The overall look and feel of it is solid. It looks like a reasonably high-end microphone with a silver grille on the front and a black one on the back. It’s built from black metal and comes with a mount that screws directly into the bottom. It’s not a shock mount, which is worth keeping in mind.

Unlike some of the other new microphones in AKG’s lineup, the C104 doesn’t offer features for customization. There are no pads or filters on board the microphone itself. That is somewhat to be expected at this price point, but if you are looking for that versatility, you’ll need to look elsewhere. This microphone instead is built to be basically plug-and-play.

AKG says the microphone is built with sustainability in mind too. The microphone is built from 100% recycled PIR metals and alloys, and the packaging is made from recycled material. That’s always a good thing.

Generally, the microphone felt durable overall, and it should survive most day-to-day use cases without any issue. I do wish it came with a case or bag though.

Performance

I was pleasantly surprised with how well the AKG C104 performed. Despite its budget price tag, it offered a clean, versatile sound signature that means it should perform well on a variety of different instruments.

In particular, I was very happy with how it performed in high-end detail. The high frequencies on offer by this mic were crisp and airy, which isn’t something you’ll always find on microphones in this price range. That translates well to acoustic instruments like acoustic guitars, as well as vocals and other percussion.

None of that means that it doesn’t hold its own in the low end, though. And again, while the bass was a little more reserved than the highs, it still easily captured good punch and depth on those lower instruments. The bass could be described as a little more controlled and tight than overly heavy, and for some that could be considered a problem. I generally liked its approach to bass frequencies, though, and it made controlling those problematic lower frequencies easier in the mixing stage.

As a whole, the microphone performs excellently in its price range. Again, it’s not quite as versatile as some more expensive microphones, and that seems to be for the most part where the lower price comes from. It certainly doesn’t seem to come from the microphone necessarily sounding low quality or like a budget microphone in general.

Conclusions

The AKG C104 makes a strong argument for itself as a budget utility condenser. You get polished build quality and an excellent audio response that will work very well across a variety of instruments. Audio quality definitely exceeds what you’d typically expect at $129, and the plug-and-play simplicity makes it approachable for creators who’d rather spend their time creating than fiddling with onboard switches and settings.

The downsides are pretty straightforward — and they’re mostly limited to features. You won’t get onboard high-pass filters or pad switches, which means less adaptability compared to pricier siblings like the C114 and C414 XLII.And while the presence-forward voicing flatters most vocal and instrument work beautifully, brighter sources may need some EQ attention.

For the budget-conscious musician, podcaster, YouTuber, or streamer who needs a single condenser that handles the majority of everyday recording tasks without drama, the C104 is an excellent choice. It’s not going to replace a professional mic locker, but it might just be the most capable “do-everything” microphone at this price right now.